Carmen Ortiz Licata

After graduating, I planned on attending College of San Mateo. During the summer I met my husband to-be. I attended CSM for three semesters, and then married my husband, Anthony Licata.

My husband’s family owned and operated Vince's Seafood and Italian Restaurant and my husband was a chef in the early years. We had three children in three years. I was a stay at home mom and loved every minute of it. Tony worked long hours and I raised our children. I loved cooking, sewing, and playing tennis. Eight years later (1972) we had another daughter. We belonged to Peninsula Golf and Country Club and our kids were involved in many activities at the club and at school.

I loved playing tennis and golf and participating in fashion shows and many fund raising events for their schools. Life was good and full of activity.

My favorite movies are Gone With The Wind, Sleepless In Seattle, An Affair To Remember, The Godfather Series, A Star is Born

In 1985 we opened another restaurant in Colma, at a golf course. I worked with my husband, and one of our sons, serving breakfast, lunch and dinners at Licata's Restaurant. In 1991 I started a cookie business. I enjoyed baking cookies and making desserts for our restaurant. Everyone loved my Italian cookies and talked me into opening my own business. I baked, packaged, and distributed cookies to many grocery stores on the Peninsula and the East Bay under the label of Bellissimi Biscotti. It was very hard work, but very rewarding. I finally sold my business after twelve years.

All of our four children moved to the Sacramento area, living in Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln. We have nine grandchildren. We retired in 2003 and moved to Roseville to be with our family. We love having family gatherings and when we get together it is always a party because there are so many of us. Cooking is my passion and I share my love of it with everyone. We love to garden, play golf and spend time with our family and friends. Traveling is our favorite activity lately, now that we have the time to enjoy it. We are planning on celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2012. Looking forward to a cruise with our family and friends. It will be wonderful! Life is good!! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.